The café smells like peaches and spring rain.

Glass vitrines gleam with pastel desserts: mousse domes, blossom-shaped macarons, and the new ₩19,000 latte topped with edible petals. Everything is branded. Even the napkins say Yuripeach™ in cursive gold.

Then Chaesom arrives — not late, but smiling, as if she’s been here all along. She wears a cream blazer embroidered with peach blossoms, but her accessories are simple: a gold pit-shaped ring and a warm laugh that cuts through the hush.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she says, bowing lightly. “Traffic was jealous of the peaches today.”

The crowd chuckles. A junior reporter from Fruit & Luxury Korea steps forward, voice trembling. “Miss Hwang, could you tell us what inspired this season’s launch?”

Chaesom tilts her head, thoughtful.

“Honestly? My grandmother. She used to say peaches taste sweetest when you share them. So we wanted this menu to feel like a gift, not just a product.”

Her assistant hands her a silver knife, but instead of slicing alone, she gestures to the reporter. “Would you like to try?” she asks kindly. Together, they cut the Yuripeach™ in half, juice glistening under the lights. She places one half on a porcelain dish and slides it toward him.

“Careful,” she says with a grin. “Perfection bruises easily. But that’s what makes it precious.”

Chaesom moves to the dessert display, straightens a macaron, then laughs at herself.

“I can’t help it. My father says symmetry is legacy. I say it’s just prettier for Instagram.”